Located at 9 Water Street, Rockland, Maine
The Maine Coastal Islands Visitor Center and Headquarters in Rockland is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. The Nature Store is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Maine Coastal Islands NWR Visitor Center
Beginner Birder Workshop
May 4th – 9am to 12pm
On Saturday, May 4, 9am to 12pm, join us at the Maine Coastal Islands visitor center located at 9 Water Street in Rockland for an orientation to all things birding. Ever wanted to understand our feathered friends, who fly overhead, just a little bit better? Are you unclear about how to tell the difference between similar birds? Unsure of where to even begin looking for birds? We’re here to help! During this workshop, we’ll cover all the birding basics including guidebooks, helpful apps, how to use binoculars, what to look for to help identify birds and what kinds of habitats are good for birding! Join us for this spectacular opportunity to learn about birding and connect with other beginner birders!
To register for this FREE workshop, or for any questions, email tori_tibbetts@mainecoastislands.org or call 594-0600 ext. 5114.
Mid-coast Moments – the presentation
May 2nd – 1pm
‘Every picture tells a story’. And while that statement might be true, there is always more to the story than the moments captured by a lens. On Thursday, May 2nd at 1pm, the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (9 Water Street, Rockland, ME) will host local nature observer Kirk Gentalen for a presentation full of nature stories, photos, and attitude. Gentalen will share the backstory of the photos from his ‘Mid-coast Moments’ photo exhibit (conveniently located upstairs at the MCINWR VC!) as well as the tales from other moments his camera has captured along the Mid-coast. Perfect excuse for calling in sick or cutting school!
Kirk Gentalen is a long-time nature observer who started taking photographs in 2003 as a way to study mushrooms and document animal behavior. Over time Kirk’s photography has morphed into a pleasant way for him to share his appreciation of nature with others – through moments captured in photos. With a camera always handy, Gentalen will stop and take a picture of anything nature wise, and mid-coast Maine moments are some of his favorites.
Kirk Gentalen is a regional stewardship manager for Maine Coast Heritage Trust with 30 years of environmental education experience from working all over the country. Currently living on the St. George peninsula with his family, Amy and Leif, Kirk also writes the ‘Nature Bummin’ with Kirk Gentalen’ blog at mcht.org.
Spring Art Show!
Now through the end of May
Join us at the Maine Coastal Islands Visitor Center at 9 Water St. in Rockland and enjoy our spring art show! This show includes three unique collections from our local community and beyond. Kirk Gentalen shares his Midcoast Moments collection with us. Long-time nature observer and photographer, Kirk uses the moments captured through his photos to share his appreciation of nature with others. This collection features some of his favorites. From expert photographer to blooming artists, the Leaps of Imagination collection shares collagraphs created by local youth based on their study of animals. Finally, our third collection in this show comes to us curtesy of Kay Etheridge titled Beyond Audubon: Bird Images through the Centuries. The collection highlights how birds have been pictured throughout history and the evolutions therein. From woodcuts to engraved and etched copper plates, the history of bird images extends beyond the well-known Audubon and this collection seeks to highlight just some of them.
Find the full description for each of the three shows below!
